You are here

'Trick Shot Quarterback' gets invitation to NFL training camp [VIDEO]

The Buffalo Bills and more than 1 million others watched Alex Tanney's impressive YouTube video. Now the team hopes his skills translate to the actual football field.

Tanney, the 23-year-old quarterback from Division III Monmouth College in Illinois, was invited to participate in the Bills three-day minicamp that starts next week.

The 6-foot-4 quarterback certainly impressed scouts with his play on the field. But it was a five-minute YouTube video that really turned heads and put Tanney on the map.

In the video, titled "Trick Shot Quarterback," Tanney shows off his impressive accuracy and strong arm. The video opens with Tanney throwing a pass out of an apartment window and into the back of a moving pickup truck. The quarterback then moves indoors to the basketball court where he effortlessly throws full-court passes into the hoop.

Tanney's trick shot arsenal also includes nailing the field goal posts from 60 yards out, knocking a football off of his friend's head from about 25 yards away and some blind throws over obstacles into garbage cans.

He ends the video by standing on the second level of a building and knocking two guys off of bicycles on the ground below. The entire trick shot display can be seen below. More than 1.25 million people have viewed the magical video. Comments range from critical and skeptical to congratulatory for Tanney's NFL invite.

While the video's background music starts with "Black and Yellow" by Wiz Khalifa, Tanney turned down an offer to join the Pittsburgh Steelers, instead opting for the Bills offer. In Buffalo, Tanney hopes to earn the third quarterback spot behind starter Ryan Fitzpatrick and backup Tyler Thigpen. The team did not draft another quarterback, but did sign Richmond's Aaron Corp as an undrafted free agent. Free agent veteran Vince Young recently worked out for the Bills and a potential signing would hinder Tanney's chance to make the roster.

In Pittsburgh, Tanney would have had to leapfrog veterans Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch to make the roster, an unlikely proposition.

Tanney is eager to prove he is more than just a trick shot quarterback. At Monmouth, he set an NCAA record with 157 touchdown passes over his five seasons. Tanney threw just 30 interceptions over his collegiate career.

Still, Tanney will always be remembered for his YouTube exploits. And it's easy to understand why.